Family, faith and football

Recently when Lyle Taylor stopped in on Charlton fan Betty Hutchins (watch the video as well), Betty said that these three ‘f’ words were the most important things she had in her life. It’s hard to disagree with that, whatever your faith.

Betty has long been ‘proper Charlton’ and watched the Addicks since 1946. Sadly Betty died yesterday just two days before her 83rd birthday.

Anyone that has ever travelled by coach to away games will know Betty, and she was warm-hearted, funny and nurturing. In those days away travel was mostly the domain for young, possibly a little excitable young men, but Betty was loved by everyone.

Me and my mates rarely got the coach and mostly drove around the country, but I remember on those odd times when we’d get the coach she would come up to us on the way home with her sheet and pen and persuade us to get the coach next time. She must have travelled on the away coach for decades.

Her passing is a very sad day for all of her family and friends, but at least she goes to her next away game with memories of a cup of tea with Lyle Taylor, and Patrick Bauer’s 94th minute goal.

RIP Betty.